“All heroes are shadows of Christ” – John Piper

As I reflect upon Veterans Day and the over 20 million veterans that have served and sacrificed for our incredible country, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude at the incredible freedom I experience as an American. While our religious liberties in America are being slowly eroded, the freedom we experience is unlike any other nation in the world.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude and thanks to all of the men and women who have served, defended and protected this country I so dearly love. The worlds, “thank you” seem to fall flat when attempting to express how I feel towards these incredible people. I wish I could look each and every veteran in the eye, shake their hand, listen to their story over dinner and get to know them. America is indebted to our veterans, and my prayer is that we treat them with the honor and respect they deserve.

The above quote from John Piper about heroes is one that I often return to when reading inspiring stories or meeting incredible people. I believe veterans shadow Christ in their selfless acts of service and in being ready and willing to lay down their live for another. While I acknowledge this is not a perfect comparison, a lot of the principles and characteristics that veterans displayed shadow to our Savior.

Veterans sacrificed.

Christ sacrificed perfectly.

Veterans fought for freedom.

Christ gave us freedom within Himself.

Veterans displayed acts of selflessness.

Christ was the essence of selflessness. 

Christian, I encourage you to take the examples of veterans and use them to dwell on Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Being found in Christ, you have been given the ultimate freedom. Freedom from God’s wrath. Freedom from your sins. Freedom from eternity apart from Christ. Freedom to live as God’s beloved.

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13

Use the freedom that you have in Christ to love and serve one another. Our veterans have loved and served this country, and shadowed Christ’s love and service. Go and do likewise!